The battle against guns and gangs in our province is being aided by more federal money.
$54-million is being doled out over the next three years to expand existing programs and create new ones.
Some of the new money will go towards combating human trafficking.
The PC government is also dedicating additional funding to programs implemented earlier this year, including a Provincial Gun and Gang Support Unit.
Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey says they’re standing up for law abiding citizens.
“Our governments message to gang members and violent criminals across this province is clear. We’re coming for you. The violence must end now.”
Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones says “Earlier this year we launched a comprehensive province-wide strategy to support the local fight against guns and gang violence. Our strategy includes four pillars; Crime Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement and Prosecution.”
Federal Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction Bill Blair says the goal is to eliminate and reduce fear in our communities.
“When people become afraid, they don’t take their kids to the park, they don’t go shopping on main street, they don’t engage with their neighbours, they don’t engage with public officials and they don’t cooperate in police investigations.”
According to the province, 54% of firearm-related homicides in Ontario in 2016 were related to gang activity.
